Flying-machine.



F. H. WALES.

FLYING MAOHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1909.

Patented .Aug. 2, 1910.

2 SHEETS-BHEBT 1,

P. H. WALES.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 4, 1909.

965,969. Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

2 SHBETS-BHEET 2.

FREDERICK H. WALES, OF IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

Application filed November 4, 1909. Serial No. 526,301.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. VVALES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Imperial, in the county of Imperial and State of California,have invented new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to aerial navigation, and especially toheavier-than-air machines. Its objects are to provide means forautomatically maintaining the equilibrium of an aeroplane, and tofacilitate the steering and control of the same.

The invention consists of two superposed planes, the upper one movablelaterally with respect to the lower one, and a car hung like a pendulumbelow the two planes and connected by gearing with the upper one, insuch a manner that when the machine tilts sidewise, the car, tending tomaintain a vertical position, will cause the upper plane to slidelaterally toward. the lower side of the machine, and thus present anincreased surface for the air to react upon, while at the same time thesurface on the higher side is reduced; the result of which is to quicklyrestore the planes to a level position. The steering rudder comprises ahorizontal and a vertical plane extending lengthwise of the machine andmounted on a bar which is supported on auniversal joint so that therudder can be moved in any direction to steer the machine either up ordown or sidewise, or obliquely up or down.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of myimproved aeroplane. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly broken away. Fig.3 is a perspective view of the rudder, and Fig. 4: is across section, ona larger scale, of the framework supporting the two planes.

The lower plane 1 is somewhat longer than it is wide, its ends beingbroken off in Fig. 2. It is preferably composed of a light tubularframework 2 inside of which is tightly stretched a sheet 3 of canvas,silk, aluminum or other light material. This may be provided witheyelets 4 to receive lashings 5 which secure it to the framework. Theupper plane 6 is similarly built, but it is conslderably wider than thelower plane, and its side edges are preferably curved upwardly, as shownin Fig. 1. The two frames are separated by grooved antifriction rollers7 placed between the transverse members of said frames. Suitablefastenings hold the frames together, such the clips 8 attached to oneframe and engaging slidably with ribs 9 on the other: the rollers 7being preferably pivoted between the arms of said clips. Thisconstruction permits the upper plane to move easily to one side or theother of the lower plane.

Any suitable mechanism may be resorted to to effect the shifting of theupper plane, but I prefer to make this operation take placeautomatically, utilizing for that purpose, preferably, the car in whichthe aviator and the propelling and steering mechanism are located. Asshown in the drawings, a rigid light cage 10 is attached to the underside of the lower plane and affords a means of support for the car 11,which is built of light material, such as paper or wickerwork. The caris hung from pivots 12 in the front and rear members of the cage, sothat it is free to swing laterally. Rising from each end of the car is asegment gear 13, concentric with the pivots 12, and meshing with pinions14 journaled on studs secured to the upper members of the cage or to theframework of the lower plane. The pinions mesh also with racks 15secured to the adjacent transverse members of the upper framework.

At the rear of the car is mounted a suitable motor 16, which drives thepropeller 17 by suitable gearing. At the front of the car is located therudder, which consists of a horizontal plane 18 and a vertical plane 19,arranged lengthwise of the machine and intersecting each other on theirmedian lines, where they are secured to the longitudinal bar 20. A post21 supports this bar, having at its lower end a universal joint,preferably a ball 22 which is received in a suitable spherical socket 23on the floor of the car. The rear end of the bar has a cross handle 2 1.

In operation, the aviator sits or stands just behind the cross handlewith the controlling devices for the motor (not shown) within easyreach. If the machine tilts to one side or the other, the car tends tomaintain a vertical position below the lower plane, and its swingingmovement with reference to said plane causes the segment gears andinions to slide the upper plane toward the epressed side, as indicatedby the dotted lines in Fig. 1. This produces an increase of surface onthat side, and atthe same time a reduction of surface on the higherside. The curvature of the side edges of the upper plane causes theextended side to present itself more nearly horizontal, while the higherside is rendered still less effective by the upward curvature of theplane. The result of this shifting of the upper plane causes a greaterreaction of the air upon the depressed side of the machine which tendsto restore it quickly to an even keel. This tendency can becounteracted, if necessary, to a certain extent, when making turns, bythe aviator stepping to that side of the car which is on the inside ofthe turn, thus shifting the center of gravity laterally. To prevent himfrom destroying his balance, the floor of the car may be curvedconcentric with its pivots, as indicated in Fig. 1. The car playsbetween curved rails 25 on the front and rear ends of the cage, withanti-friction wheels 26 to prevent its binding when the machine pitches.

It is evident that any other form of gearing which would effect thelateral and automatic shifting of the upper plane toward the depressedside of the machine would fall within the scope of my invention. It willbe observed that the greater the inclination, the further the plane isextended, within the limits of the movement, and this extension takesplace instantly, being simultaneous with the tilting of the machine,because of the pendulum-like action of the swinging car. I have limitedmy drawings to a plane which shifts laterally, but I wish it to beunderstood that my invention contemplates the automatic shifting of theplane either laterally or longitudinally or both, as will be evident topersons skilled in the art.

The rudder moves freely in any direction on its universal joint, but itcan be clamped in any desired position by means of a set screw 27 or itsequivalent.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A heavier-than-air flying machine,pro vided with two superposed planes, the upper one extending beyond theedges of the lower one, a car pivotally suspended from the lower plane,and means actuated by said car,

when the machine tilts, for automatically sliding the upper plane towardthe lower side of the machine.

2. A. hcavier-than-air flying machine, provided with two superposedplanes, a car sus- Jended from the lower plane, and gearing between saidear and the upper plane whereby said upper plane will be shifted withrespect to the lower one when the machine tilts.

A heavier-than-air flying machine, provided with two superposed planes,a car suspended from the lower plane and free to swing laterally, andgearing whereby the swinging of said car will effect a shifting of theupper plane to counteract tilting.

4-. A l'ieavier-than-air flying machine, provided with two superposedplanes, a cage depending from the lower plane, a car pivoted in saidcage, and gearing between said car and the upper plane.

5. A lieavier-thanair flying machine, provided with two superposedplanes, a rigid cage depending from the lower plane, a car pivoted insaid cage, segment gears rising from said car concentric with saidpivots,

pinions meshing with said gears, and racks on the upper plane engagingwith said pinions.

6. A heavier-than-air flying machine, provided with two superposedplanes, and means for automatically moving said upper plane laterallywith reference to the lower one, said upper plane having upwardly curvededge portions.

7. An aeroplane having a rudder composed of horizontal and verticalplanes, a longitudinal bar to which said planes are secured, a postsupporting said bar, a ball and socket joint at the lower end of saidpost and means for clamping the parts of said joint in any givenposition.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK H. WALES.

Witnesses:

GEO. P. BLAIR, E. E. PATTEN.

